Review all important academic dates from the Office of the Registrar.
September 1st – Labour day (University closed)
September 4 - First day of Fall term 2025 classes (excluding Law)
September 17 - Academic Add/Drop for Fall 2025
September 15 - Deadline to Apply to Graduate at Fall 2025 Convocation. For information about Fall 2025 Convocation refer to the Graduation & Convocation website.
September 1, 2025 to October 1, 2025 – Phase I grace period for Fall term 2025 and Fall graduation as follows:
- September 24 –Defence Deadline: Last day for the final oral defence of dissertations, theses, major papers, and internship papers for Phase I and Fall 2025 Graduation.
- Research students whose defence is held no later than September 24th, 2025 and who are aiming to complete the post-defence Deposit no later than October 1st, 2025 must not register for the Fall term 2025 in the dissertation/thesis/major paper/internship, provided they have applied to graduate in the Fall 2025 convocation (by Registrar's graduation deadline), and provided they meet the Phase I eligibility criteria and deadlines for Fall term 2025 as outlined on the Phase I grace period registration policy.
- Students whose defence is held after September 24, 2025 must register in the dissertation/thesis/major paper/internship for Fall term 2025 by the academic add/drop and will remain registered for Fall term 2025. Refer to the Phase I grace period registration policy for eligibility and details.
- Students must have submitted for format checking to Graduate Studies BEFORE the defence, at the same time when they submit a pre-defence copy to their Master's/Doctoral committee. Refer to the pre-defence Format checking instructions.
- Defence notices are to be posted in the AAU (e.g. on the departmental website) and a copy of the defence notice sent to FGS at least 8 days prior to the defence date. Review defence requirements.
- October 1 – post-defence Deposit deadline: Last day to complete the post-defence submission (“Deposit”) of dissertations, theses, major papers, and internship papers to Graduate Studies, for Phase I and Fall 2025 graduation.
- Research students aiming to complete the defence no later than September 24, 2025 and the post-defence Deposit no later than October 1st, 2025 must not register for Fall term 2025 in the dissertation/thesis/major paper/internship, provided they have applied to graduate in the Fall convocation and provided they meet the Phase I eligibility criteria and deadlines for Fall term 2025 as outlined on the Phase I grace period registration policy.
- Students whose final oral defence is held after September 24, 2025, or who have defended by September 24 but have not completed the post-defence Deposit by October 1, 2025 and do not meet the Phase I eligibility criteria, must register in the dissertation/thesis/major paper/internship for Fall term 2025 by the academic add/drop date for the term. Such student will remain registered for Fall term 2025 and will not be eligible to graduate in the Fall 2025 convocation (must apply to graduate in the next convocation in Spring’ 2026). See also Phase II deadline (Oct. 15) for 50% base tuition refund for Fall term 2025.
- Students who complete the defence after September 24, 2025, or the post-defence Deposit after October 1, 2025, must register in the dissertation/thesis/major paper/internship for Fall term 2025 by the academic add/drop date for the term. Such student will remain registered for Fall 2025, as outlined in the Phase I policy, and will not be eligible to graduate in Fall 2025 convocation (must apply to graduate in the next convocation in Fall 2025). See also Phase II deadline (Oct. 15) for 50% base tuition refund for Fall term 2025.
October 1 - Last Day to file an appeal of grades for Summer courses
October 2 - Financial drop date for Fall 2025
October 11-19 - Reading week (except Law)
October 13 - Thanksgiving Day (University closed)
October 15 - Post-defence Deposit deadline for Phase II
Last day to complete the post-defence submission (“Deposit”) of dissertations, theses, major papers, and internship papers to Graduate Studies, under Phase II (50% base tuition refund) of the tuition fee refund policy for Fall term 2025.
- Students must have submitted for format checking to Graduate Studies BEFORE the defence - refer to the pre-defence Format checking instructions.
- The defence can be held at any time before the Phase II period, provided the student meets the October 15th post-defence Deposit deadline.
October 16th: Fall 2025 convocation.
November 12: Last Day to Voluntarily Withdraw from Fall 2025 courses
November 24: Last day to send a doctoral dissertation to the PhD External Examiner for a January 2026 defence.
December 3 - Last Day of Fall 2025 Classes (except Law and Education)
December 6-17 - Final Exam Period for Fall 2025 (excluding Education & Law)
December 19 - Winter 2026 term fees are due and payable. Refer to Student Accounts / Cashier's website for details.
December 24th, 2025 to January 2nd, 2026 - University Offices closed for December Holiday recess.
January 5, 2026 - University Offices re-open after Holiday Break
January 5, 2026 - First Day of Winter Classes
January 13, 2026 - The earliest date a PhD defence can be scheduled in 2026. Review the oral defence and PhD External Examiner guidelines.
January 18, 2026 - Academic Add/Drop for Winter 2026
January 5th to Jan. 26th – Phase I grace period for Winter term 2026:
- Research students aiming to complete both the final oral defence and the post-defence Deposit within the Phase I period must not register for Winter term 2026 in the dissertation/thesis/major paper/internship, provided they meet the Phase I eligibility and deadlines as outlined on the Phase I grace period registration policy.
- students must have submitted for format checking to Graduate Studies BEFORE the defence, at the same time when they submit a pre-defence copy to their Master's/Doctoral committee. Refer to the pre-defence Format checking instructions.
- the final oral defence may be held at any time within the Phase I grace period, provided the student meets the January 26th Phase I post-defence Deposit deadline. Review Final Oral Defence Guidelines for graduate programs and research students.
January 26, 2026: Post-defence Deposit deadline for Phase I
Last day to complete the post-defence submission (“Deposit”) of dissertations, theses, major papers, and internship papers to Graduate Studies, within the Winter term 2026 Phase I grace period.
Students who are defending after January 26, 2026, or who have defended but not completed the post-defence Deposit with graduate studies by January 26th and do not meet the Phase I eligibility criteria, must register in the dissertation/thesis/major paper/internship for Winter term 2026 by the academic add/drop date and will remain registered throughout the Winter term 2026, as outlined in the Phase I grace period registration policy.
February 3, 2026 - Financial Drop Date for Winter 2026. Refer to Student Account/Cashiers website for details on Financial Drop Dates.
February 13, 2026 - Post-defence Deposit deadline for Phase II
Last day to complete the post-defence submission (“Deposit”) of dissertations, theses, major papers, and internship papers to Graduate Studies, under Phase II (50% base tuition refund) of the tuition fee refund policy for Winter term 2006.
- Students must have submitted for format checking to Graduate Studies BEFORE the defence - refer to the pre-defence Format checking instructions.
- The defence can be held at any time before the Phase II period, provided the student meets the February 13th post-defence Deposit deadline.
February 14-22, 2026 - Reading Week
February 16, 2026 - Family Day Holiday: University closed.
February 20, 2026 - University Offices Closed.
March 15 - No-fee Deadline to Apply to Graduate at Spring 2026 Convocation.
- All students must apply to graduate whether they plan on attending their Convocation Ceremony or not.
- Apply to graduate at Spring 2026 Convocation by March 15 at no cost.
- If a student applies to graduate between March 16 - Apr 26, and wishes to attend their Spring 2026 Convocation ceremony, a non-refundable, non-transferable $80 fee will be charged.
- For information about Spring 2026 Convocation, please refer to the Registrar's office Graduation & Convocation webpage.
March 15, 2026 - Last Day to Voluntarily Withdraw from Winter 2026 courses.
March 30, 2026 - Deadline for recommending a PhD external examiner for doctoral students aiming to complete within the Spring 2026 graduation and Phase I grace period for Summer term 2025.
April 3, 2026 - Good Friday - University closed.
April 6, 2026 - Last Day of Winter 2026 Classes (except Law and Education)
April 9-20, 2026 - Final Exams for Winter 2026 (excluding Law and Education) – excl. Sundays.
April 9-21, 2026 - Final exams for Law.
April 10, 2026 - Deadline for submitting a copy of the PhD dissertation to the a PhD external examiner, for doctoral students aiming to complete within the Spring 2026 graduation and Phase I grace period or Summer term 2025.
April 26, 2026 - Deadline to Apply to Graduate for Spring 2026 Convocation.
Refer also to March 15th deadline to apply at no cost. If a student applies to graduate between March 16 - April 26, and wishes to attend their Spring 2026 Convocation ceremony, a non-refundable, non-transferable $80 fee will be charged. For information about Spring 2026 Convocation refer to the Graduation & Convocation website.
May 4, 2026 - First Day of Classes: Full Summer (12 week) term
May 1st to May 15th, 2026 – Phase I grace period for Summer term 2026 and Spring graduation as follows:
- May 11, 2026 – Defence deadline: Last day for the final oral defence of dissertations, theses and major papers for Phase I and Spring Graduation 2026:
- Research students whose defence is held no later than May 11th, 2026 and who are aiming to complete the post-defence Deposit no later than May 15th, 2026 must not register for the Summer term 2026 in the dissertation/thesis/major paper/internship, provided they have applied to graduate in the Spring convocation (by Registrar's graduation deadline), and provided they meet the Phase I eligibility criteria and deadlines for Summer term 2026 as outlined on the Phase I grace period registration policy.
- Students whose defence is held after May 11, 2026 must register in the dissertation/thesis/major paper/internship for Summer term 2026 by the academic add/drop and will remain registered for Summer term. Refer to the Phase I grace period registration policy for eligibility and details.
- Students must have submitted for format checking to Graduate Studies BEFORE the defence, at the same time when they submit a pre-defence copy to their Master's/Doctoral committee, as outlined on the pre-defence Format checking instructions.
- Defence notices are to be posted in the AAU (e.g. on the departmental website) and a copy of the defence notice sent to FGS at least 8 days prior to the defence date. Review defence requirements.
- May 15, 2026 – post-defence Deposit deadline: Last day to complete the post-defence submission (“Deposit”) of the dissertation/thesis/major paper/internship to Graduate Studies, for Phase I and Spring 2026 graduation.
- Research students aiming to complete the defence no later than May 11th, 2026 and the post-defence Deposit no later than May 15th, 2026 must not register for the Summer term 2026 in the dissertation/thesis/major paper/internship, provided they have applied to graduate in the Spring convocation and provided they meet the Phase I eligibility criteria and deadlines for Summer term 2026 as outlined on the Phase I grace period registration policy.
- Research students whose final oral defence is held after May 11, 2026, or who have defended by May 11th but have not completed the post-defence Deposit by May 15th and do not meet the Phase I eligibility criteria, must register in the dissertation/thesis/major paper/internship for Summer term 2026 by the academic add/drop date for the term. Such student will remain registered for Summer 2026 and will not be eligible to graduate in Spring 2026 convocation (must apply to graduate in the next convocation in Fall 2026). See also Phase II deadline (June 9th) for 50% base tuition refund for Summer term 2026.
May 17, 2026 - Academic Add/Drop for Full Summer 2026 (12 week)
May 18, 2026 - Victoria Day: University Closed
June 2-5, 2026: Spring convocation 2026
June 9, 2026 – post-defence Deposit deadline for Phase II:
- Last day to complete the post-defence submission (“Deposit”) of the dissertation/thesis/major paper/internship to Graduate Studies under the Phase II tuition fee refund policy for 50% base tuition refund for Summer term 2026.
- Students must have submitted for format checking to Graduate Studies BEFORE the defence, at the same time when they submit a pre-defence copy to their Master's/Doctoral committee, as outlined on the pre-defence Format checking instructions.
- The defence can be held at any time before the Phase II period, provided the student meets the June 9th post-defence Deposit deadline.
June 13 – 21, 2026 - Reading Week for Full Summer 2026 (12 week) courses
July 1 - Canada Day: University Closed
July 14, 2026 - Last Day to Voluntarily Withdraw from Full Summer (12 week) courses.
August 3, 2026 - Civic Holiday: University Closed
August 5, 2026 - Last Day of Full Summer 2026 (12 week) Classes
August 8-19, 2026 - Final Exams for Full Summer 2026 (12 week)
August 12, 2026 - Deadline for recommending a PhD external examiner for doctoral students aiming to complete within the Fall 2026 graduation and Phase I grace period.
August 25, 2026 - Deadline for submitting a copy of the PhD dissertation to the a PhD external examiner, for doctoral students aiming to complete within the Fall 2026 graduation and Phase I grace period.
September 7, 2026 – Labour day (University closed)
September 10, 2026 - First day of Fall term 2026 classes (excluding Law)
September 23, 2026 - Academic Add/Drop for Fall 2026
Sept.1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2026 – Phase I grace period for Fall term 2026 and Fall graduation as follows:
- September 23, 2026 – Defence Deadline: Last day for the final oral defence of dissertations, theses, major papers, and internship papers for Phase I and Fall 2026 Graduation.
- Research students whose defence is held no later than September 23, 2026 and who are aiming to complete the post-defence Deposit no later than September 30, 2026 must not register for the Fall term 2026 in the dissertation/thesis/major paper/internship, provided they have applied to graduate in the Fall 2026 convocation (by Registrar's graduation deadline), and provided they meet the Phase I eligibility criteria and deadlines for Fall term 2026 as outlined on the Phase I grace period registration policy.
- Students whose defence is held after September 23, 2026 must register in the dissertation/thesis/major paper/internship for Fall term 2026 by the academic add/drop and will remain registered for Fall term 2026. Refer to the Phase I grace period registration policy for eligibility and details.
- Students must have submitted for format checking to Graduate Studies BEFORE the defence, at the same time when they submit a pre-defence copy to their Master's/Doctoral committee. Refer to the pre-defence Format checking instructions.
- Defence notices are to be posted in the AAU (e.g. on the departmental website) and a copy of the defence notice sent to FGS at least 8 days prior to the defence date. Review defence requirements.
- September 30, 2026 – post-defence Deposit deadline: Last day to complete the post-defence submission (“Deposit”) of dissertations, theses, major papers, and internship papers to Graduate Studies, for Phase I and Fall 2026 graduation.
- Research students aiming to complete the defence no later than September 23, 2026 and the post-defence Deposit no later than Sept. 30, 2026 must not register for Fall term 2026 in the dissertation/thesis/major paper/internship, provided they have applied to graduate in the Fall convocation and provided they meet the Phase I eligibility criteria and deadlines for Fall term 2026 as outlined on the Phase I grace period registration policy.
- Research students whose final oral defence is held after September 23, 2026, or who have defended by September 23 but have not completed the post-defence Deposit by Sept. 30, 2026 and do not meet the Phase I eligibility criteria, must register in the dissertation/thesis/major paper/internship for Fall term 2026 by the academic add/drop date for the term. Such student will remain registered for Fall term 2026 and will not be eligible to graduate in the Fall 2026 convocation (must apply to graduate in the next convocation in Spring’ 2027). See also Phase II deadline (Oct. 15) for 50% base tuition refund for Fall term 2026.
October 10-18, 2026 - Reading week (except Law)
October 12, 2026 - Thanksgiving Day (University closed)
October 15, 2026 - Post-defence Deposit deadline for Phase II:
Last day to complete the post-defence submission (“Deposit”) of dissertations, theses, major papers, and internship papers to Graduate Studies, under Phase II (50% base tuition refund) of the tuition fee refund policy for Fall term 2026.
- Students must have submitted for format checking to Graduate Studies BEFORE the defence - refer to the pre-defence Format checking instructions.
- The defence can be held at any time before the Phase II period, provided the student meets the October 15th post-defence Deposit deadline.
October 15th and 16th: Fall 2026 convocation.
November 18, 2026 - Voluntary Withdrawal date for Fall 2026 courses
December 9, 2026 - Last Day of Fall 2026 Classes (except Law and Education)
December 11-22, 2026 - Final Exam Period for Fall 2026 (excluding Education & Law)
December 24th, 2026 to January 1, 2027 - University Offices closed for December Holiday recess.